Agenda - Council - 08/10/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmembers discussed installing small temporary signs advising visitors that native prairie grasses or wildflowers were being established and asking them to remain off the planted slopes. Councilmembers believed the additional explanation would show that the area was intentionally landscaped rather than unfinished dirt and could provide another reason for visitors to remain on the sidewalk. Park and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood summarized that the Council appeared interested in the approximately $50,000 bistro seating and decorative fence extension while postponing a decision on full cable fencing until staff determined whether the new signs were effective. He noted that any permanent fencing project would be unlikely to be completed before September and would more realistically be installed before the splash pad opened the following spring. Councilmember Specht favored leaving the orange barrier in place until a permanent fence could be installed. Other members cautioned that the City could not determine whether the new signs were effective unless the temporary fencing was removed. They recommended continuing to station an employee at the park while observing whether visitors complied voluntarily. Councilmember Buscher supported removing the orange fencing, retaining full-time monitoring temporarily, and determining whether the signs alone prevented further swimming. She suggested that staff return to the Council if additional incidents occurred so members could decide whether partial or full permanent fencing was justified. Mayor Heineman summarized a proposed interim plan under which the City would remove the temporary orange fencing, continue staffing the park, monitor compliance with the no -swimming signs, and allow staff to reduce coverage if visitors consistently followed the rules. The Council would revisit the matter in the fall after receiving information about activity during the remainder of the season. At that time, members could reconsider the bistro seating expansion, limited decorative fencing, a permanent seasonal attendant, or more extensive cable fencing. Councilmembers supported adding temporary signs explaining that native vegetation was growing on the pond slopes. They also expressed continued interest in establishing a dedicated seasonal attendant position for future splash pad seasons, even if swimming concerns declined, because the employee could provide general supervision, visitor assistance, litter collection, and early reporting of maintenance or behavioral problems. Park and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood confirmed the resulting direction. Staff would add signage concerning the growing wildflowers or native vegetation, remove the temporary orange snow fencing, continue staffing and monitoring the park, gradually reduce coverage if compliance remained strong, and report back to the Council around September. No formal action was taken. Recess City Council Work Session / July 28, 2026 Page 10 of 12